PRESS RELEASE - DRAFT
This release is to address recent media concerning the Purple Sage Development proposal.
The City of Soap Lake has notified the Developer that it has not received a full and complete application for the Purple Sage Development. Under the applicable City Code, a complete development application is required to include a land use application, fee, and multiple other maps and documents pertaining to the proposed development (including multiple copies of such documents).
In 2023, the City Council adopted a Planned Development District (“PDD”) related to the proposed Development, which created the zoning needed for a condominium project to proceed. The PDD remains in effect as a zoning overlay. The City has not terminated any vested rights under the previously adopted PDD. A project application is still required for the Development.
As part of the preliminary planning process, the City, and its consultants, have spent several years working in good faith with the Developer regarding preliminary designs and concepts related to the potential Development. However, the Purple Sage Development project has changed forms or concepts over time, from RV Park, to Condos, to manufactured homes. Depending on the final development proposal, the PDD may also need to be amended before the Development can proceed.
On September 23, 2025, while the City was between planning agencies, the Developer sent correspondence to the City indicating that it wanted to finalize the Development. At that time, the project was still going through preliminary reviews. The City responded with a letter to terminate the continued preliminary review of the Development project. The letter terminating review was intended to clarify and confirm that the City had not received a formal application for the Development as required by the City Code. Therefore, the City would need to stop the “preliminary planning” work to ensure a full proposal (including application and fee) was submitted for final review of the Development.
The City has notified the Developer that they are welcome to submit a full and complete application in compliance with City code and PDD for the Development at any time. Upon submission, the application will be provided to the City’s planning agency for further review and processing under the City Code.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
Notice is hereby given that the City Council for the City of Soap Lake will hold a PUBLIC HEARING for the Preliminary 2026 Budget and a PUBLIC HEARING for Ad Velorem Tax.
These public hearings will be held during the regular City Council Meeting on November 19,
2025 at 5:30 pm at the Soap Lake Community and Senior Center, 121 2nd Ave SE, Soap Lake, WA 98851.
You are invited to attend this public hearing and provide comments. If you cannot attend, written comments will be received until 4:00 pm November 19, 2025, at City Hall, 239 2nd Ave SE or by mailing them to PO Box 1270, Soap Lake, WA 98851.
The Council meeting is intended to be accessible by all. Arrangements to reasonably accommodate the needs of special classes of citizens, including handicap accessibility or interpreter, will be made upon receiving twenty-four-hour advance notice. Contact the City Clerk at the above location or 509-246-1211 between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday through Friday.
City Camera Compliance Statement
City of Soap Lake
The City of Soap Lake ensures that all city-operated cameras are installed, maintained, and utilized in full compliance with Washington State law and applicable federal privacy regulations. This includes all fixed city surveillance cameras as well as authorized Ring security cameras used by city departments and facilities.
All cameras located in open and public spaces are operated solely for legitimate public safety, infrastructure protection, and operational purposes. Cameras are positioned only in areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, consistent with RCW 9.73 and other applicable Washington statutes governing public video monitoring and privacy rights.
In compliance with Washington’s two-party consent law, audio streaming and recording functions are permanently disabled on all city and Ring cameras. This ensures that no audio conversations or sound-based data are captured, maintaining strict adherence to state privacy protections.
All video data collected by the City of Soap Lake is retained and managed according to state public records retention schedules and is accessible only to authorized personnel for official city business, law enforcement purposes, or as otherwise required by law.
The City remains firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and public trust, ensuring that all surveillance technology is used responsibly to enhance safety and security while safeguarding the privacy rights of all residents and visitors.
-Mayor Sharp
CITY HALL WILL BE CLOSED ON
10-02-2025 & 10-03-2025
CITY HALL WILL REOPEN ON MONDAY
IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911
POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE OPEN
There of been reports of sewage running into the lake near West Beach and at the end of Dogwood St. Public Works has been down to investigate the reports and has been in contact with the Department of Ecology. This is not sewage. We confirmed with a local resident who has been in this immediate area for decades that this is a natural spring that very commonly runs this time of year. It is not always as visible as it is this year due to the low lake level. It is normal to have a smell of sewer in that area do to the #2 lift station located at the north end of Dogwood. Public works also tested the water for the presence of ammonia. Sewer would be around 40mg/l. The water flowing into the lake is .030mg/l. This actually helps the lake get some of its minerals back, as the natural water flows across the mud beads. Thank You for Your Concern for Our Unique Lake.
Director of Public Works, Eli Olson
